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Monthly Archives: June 2015

GANDHI – HIS LEADERSHIP

Gandhi held no official political title; he commanded no army and he amassed no great wealth. Although Gandhi held no political office he held great influence. Although he was instrumental in the Indian Independence movement, Gandhi’s influence extended beyond the borders of India to the rest of the world. Gandhi won hearts and minds. This truly exemplary leader derived his power from the conscious citizenry. This leader is Mahatma Gandhi.

Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence inspired millions. He spent his life fighting to overcome modern forms of enslavement and oppression, religious hatred, gender oppression, and, what he saw as the worst form of violence, poverty. Gandhi was an uncompromising opponent of violence. He knew that using violence to fight violence corrupts and debases even the most noble of causes and leaves a legacy of bloodshed.

One of the strategies that made Gandhi an effective leader was his ability to build bridges between communities. In particular, Gandhi provided leadership by example. He walked the talk. Added to this, Gandhi’s critique of technology and economies that benefit the powerful and marginalize the powerless is all too relevant today. However, his way of dealing with this was to influence by peaceful means.

What can we learn form Gandhi? Gandhi’ strategies included embracing non-violence, being the change, leading by example and building bridges. In this way he inspired millions across the globe and left a lasting legacy. Even today people across the globe study the work of Gandhi. There is much to learn.

LEADING BY EXAMPLE, PEACEFUL MEANS AND BUILDING BRIDGES. THE LEGACY OF GANDHI’S LEADERSHIP!

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world” Gandhi, Mahatma

Janette Young, Knowledge Futures is a Consultant, Coach and Learning Facilitator. Author of Personal Knowledge Capital: the inner and outer path of knowledge creation in a web world. Elsevier.